Monday, August 25, 2014

We have been vigiling monthly at the gates of Volk Field for
more than 2 ½ years now. The military
recently completed a state-of-the-art training facility for drone pilots at
Volk Field, and we must remain continue to be there.

Brian Terrell has been active in working to stop drones for
many years. Last year he was in prison
for six months after protesting against drones at Whiteman AFB in Missouri. In the newsletter The Sower, which he publishes with his wife Betsy, he writes about drones:

Over the years since April 2009,
the promises of a new era of better war through drone technology have been
steadily unraveling, each of them proving false. It is increasingly clear that rather than
limiting the scope of war, drones are expanding and proliferating it, killing
more civilians both on battlefields and far from them, endangering our soldiers
and the safety of our communities.
Instead of keeping the horrors of war at a safe distance, drones bring
the war home in unprecedented ways.

We have the opportunity to stand up against killer drones
every month in Wisconsin. The vigil at
Volk Field is a legal vigil where we will be on public property. As always, it will be a solemn vigil,
remembering the victims of US government drone attacks

WORD ABOUT THE
WEATHER – We have had some pretty bad storms this summer and so if there is
a question about whether we will hold the vigil, please check with Joy (608
239-4327) or Bonnie (608 256-5088) to see if the vigil will be canceled because
of weather.

DIRECTIONS - To
get to the vigil, take the Camp Douglas exit off Interstate 90/94 between
Mauston and Tomah. When you exit take
County Rd. C to the northeast. You will
see the base straight ahead, but follow County Rd. C to the right and within a
few blocks is a picnic wayside where you can park.

THE VIGIL - We
will gather at the wayside between 3:00-3:15 for introductions and to review
the plan for the vigil, and then process together to the gates of the base
where we will hold a solemn vigil for one hour to remember those killed by
drones. Participants can stand in
silence or read poems and stories about the effects of drone warfare. It is important that the voices of the
victims be brought to the gates of Volk Field.

Bring posters if you can.

CARPOOLING - If you are interested in carpooling to Volk
Field from Madison, please contact Bonnie at 608 256-5088 or Kathy at or 608 278-0483.

We hope to see you at the vigil on Tuesday August 26. If you can’t come this time, mark your
calendar for the 4th Tuesday of every month and join us when you
can. If you have any questions please
call or email Joy at 608 239-4327 or joyfirst5@gmail.com
or Bonnie at 608-256-5088 or bblock@charter.net
.

Now a bill is pending in Congress -- the The Targeted Lethal Force
Transparency Act (HR 4372) -- also known as the "Come Clean on Drone
Killing" Act. At this writing, quite a few of Rep. Pocan and Rep. Moore's fellow
progressive caucus members have become co-sponsors for the bill. So
where are Rep. Pocan and Rep. Moore?

Wisconsin has been a hotbed of in-the-streets vigils, marchs, die-ins,
and other protests against drone killings -- as can clearly be seen in
the posts on this blog.

Today, people protesting drones are contacting their representatives to
encourage support for H.R.4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency
Act. If passed, the bill will require the Obama administration to come
clean about the killings it has carried out using drones -- killings
that, up until now, the administration has been able to pretend don't
exist.

WE, THE PEOPLE, CHARGE THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA AND THE
FULL MILITARY CHAIN OF COMMAND TO COMMANDER COLONEL DAVE ROMUALD, EVERY
DRONE CREW, AND SERVICE MEMBERS AT VOLK FIELD, WITH CRIMES AGAINST
PEACE & CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS, VIOLATION
OF DUE PROCESS, WARS OF AGGRESSION, VIOLATIONS OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY,
AND KILLING OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS.

Well, it's time for the two of them to do something about drone killing and surveillance.

Now a bill is pending in Congress -- the The Targeted Lethal Force
Transparency Act (HR 4372) -- also known as the "Come Clean on Drone
Killing" Act. At this writing, quite a few of Rep. Pocan and Rep. Moore's fellow
progressive caucus members have become co-sponsors for the bill. So
where are Rep. Pocan and Rep. Moore?

First
Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) called the U.S.
on the carpet for dodging the call from the international community to
come clean about its drone killings. Then Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
Walter Jones (R-NC) submitted a bill calling for drone transparency. So
... are we finally going to get the truth?

Wisconsin has been a hotbed of in-the-streets vigils, marchs, die-ins,
and other protests against drone killings -- as can clearly be seen in
the posts on this blog.

Today, people protesting drones are contacting their representatives to encourage support for H.R.4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act. If passed, the bill will require the Obama administration to come
clean about the killings it has carried out using drones -- killings
that, up until now, the administration has been able to pretend don't
exist.

"We boarded the bus for Volk Field. (no ID checks there or at the gate house). National Guardsmen drove the bus and narrated the tour all over the base...We drove by the TUAS facility where the drones are apparently housed but there was no word about what they did there other than "they can use remotely controlled cameras to triangulate where ordnance has landed" or words to that effect. Not a word about their being used in drone warfare."

"The final stop was at the National Guard Museum where we could get off the bus. Jim and I were in the front seat so we got off first and I opened my jacket so the t-shirt was visible and we offered our handout to people getting off the bus...One of the Guardsmen quickly said we couldn't do that on the base and that we had to stop handing out "propaganda." They hadn't read the handout so I gave two of them to one of the men and said it was just a series of questions they should read."

"Let us NOT become the evil that we deplore."

"One of them then called base security--five arrived within minutes (the guys in the dark blue uniforms) so we had nine people in uniforms surrounding us. They said we couldn't leaflet and had to leave. Jim said we wanted to see the museum and would continue to leaflet so they called the Sheriff. Two squad cars arrived within minutes and we were handcuffed and taken to Mauston in separate vehicles..."

"We were processed fairly promptly at the Jail and released on a signature bond. The charges are criminal misdeamenors-- trespassing and disorderly conduct again and we have the initial hearing on June 18 at 9 am. "

"Special thanks to Mary Beth, Kathy, and Cassandra for support and for picking us up from the Jail and getting Jim's car from Volk Field to Mauston. We then went to the park along the river behind the Mauston library and had lunch and some of Kathy's delicious birthday cake."

May 8 at 7 pm in Madison.There will be a showing of Robert Greenwald's film "Unmanned: America's Drone Wars" at The Fountain, 122 State Street, just off the Capitol Square. It is also available to stream for free at Warcosts.com.

May 17 all day -- We will maintain a presence at the Volk Field Open House. [Note: this will replace our normal 4th Tuesday vigil at the gates of Volk Field]

Schedule of Events:

6:30-10:00 am 5K on the Runway/1 Mile Walk

6:30 am Gate opens for 5K Registration

7:30 am 5K Start

8:00-10:00 am Pancake Breakfast for 5K Participants

10:00 am to 2:30 pm Bus Tours (Pick-up/Drop-off in Nelson Park in the town of Camp Douglas with a stop at Volk Field Museum)

12:00-1:00 pm Camp Douglas Armed Forces Day Parade

Contact Bonnie Block (cell: 608-320-0569) or Jim Murphy (cell: 608-617-7379) about helping the Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones have a presence at the Open House events beginning at 10 am. We'll meet at the usual location -- the wayside to your right after your take Exit 55 right off I-90/94 at the town of Camp Douglas to finalize our plans.

- We'll have t-shirts for sale for $10 (with a graphic of a Predator Drone and the word NOPE!)

-We hope to "Fly Kites, Not Drones."

-We'll have a handout with info on drone warfare to pass out and, at the end of the day we'll have a birthday cake to celebrate Kathy Walsh's birthday. BUT we can only do this with your help so please let us know if you can come.

May 23, Noon to 1 pm at Hatch Public Library located at 111 State Street in Mauston. Join us after the last trial and hear Five Grandmothers Speak Out Against Drone Warfare. We will gather and read the names of children killed by US drone warfare as we place a stone of remembrance in a small "coffin." At the end of this ceremoney we'll talk about why we're taking action to "ground the donres" and discuss ways to make the future more safe for all the world's children and grandchildren. Refreshments will be served.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Wisconsin citizens, organizing under the Wisconsin Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars, are joining other activists nationwide inSpring Days of Drone Action. Actions, vigils, protests, lobbying, and educational efforts are taking place across the country to call attention to the illegal and immoral killer drone assassination program in which our government is engaged.

Wisconsinites have braved all sorts of weather to stand up against the injustice happening at Volk Field.

On Tuesday April 22, 2014 twelve Wisconsin residents converged at Volk Field, an Air National Guard base near Camp Douglas, WI where we have been vigiling monthly since December 2011.

Volk Field plays an important role in the killer drone program by training pilots to fly the Shadow Drone used for surveillance and target acquisition. The illegal drone program in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and other places around the world continues to terrorize and kill thousands of innocent people.

While those demonstrating were blocked from entry by a fence...

Soaring kites made their presence known to all within the base's boundaries

As we stood at the gate to the base, we read a criminal complaint against President Obama, Volk Field Commander Colonel Dave Romuald, and others at the base who are involved in the training of drone pilots. Everyone present then signed the complaint. We will be gathering more signatures on the complaint and then it will be brought to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Madison, WI and we will call for an investigation into war crimes taking place on the base.

"Do Not Follow Illegal Orders." The responsibility for drone terror lies with all those who make it possible, including us, if we stand by and let it happen.

Other events in Wisconsin during Spring Days of Action against Drones include:

·April 29 – All day – Lobby day against drones – Contacting members of Congress.

·May 8 – 7:00 pm-9:30 pm – The Fountain, 122 State St., Screening of the film Unmanned: America’s Drone Wars followed by discussion.

·May 17 – Protesting at Volk Field Open House.

·April 28, May 5, May 9, May 19, and May 23 – Trials for five grandmothers who were arrested for peacefully attempting to deliver a letter to the commander of Volk Field in April 2013. Trials will take place at Juneau County Courthouse in Mauston, WI.

·Date to be determined – Delivery of criminal complaint against Obama and personnel at Volk Field who are engaged in drone program to US Attorney’s office in Madison.

People across the country are coming together and speaking out against the killer drones in April and May as part of the SPRING DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST DRONES.

Recent vigil against drone terror at Volk Field

We have been vigiling monthly at Volk Field for more than two years. As reported by Medea Benjamin of Code Pink, the work that we, and other activists around the country are doing, is having an impact.

Saturday May 17 – Time to be announced – Volk Field – Open house at Volk Field will give us a chance to be there and educate the public.

Look for information on filing a criminal complaint against Obama and personnel at Volk Field involved in the drone program with the US Attorney’s office in Madison.

Look for information on lobbying our members of Congress to end drone warfare.

Fly kites, not drones!

To get to Volk Field, take the Camp Douglas exit off Interstate 90/94 between Mauston and Tomah. When you exit take County Rd. C to the northeast. You will see the base straight ahead, but follow County Rd. C to the right and within a few blocks is a picnic wayside. Since the wayside is closed for the winter, we will park on the side of the road.

We will gather at the wayside between 3:00-3:15 for introductions and to review the plan for the vigil, and then process together to the gates of the base where we will hold a solemn vigil for one hour to remember those killed by drones. It is important that the voices of the victims be brought to the gates of Volk Field.

Please try to carpool. If you’re in the Madison area, we will meet in the parking lot of East Towne Mall between JC Penney and the Firestone Auto Care Store. Be there around 1:20 so we can take as few cars as possible and be on the road by 1:30.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Wisconsin has been a hotbed of in-the-streets vigils, marchs, die-ins, and other protests against drone killings -- as can clearly be seen in the posts on this blog.

Today, people protesting drones are contacting their representatives to encourage support for H.R.4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act.
If passed, the bill will require the Obama administration to come
clean about the killings it has carried out using drones -- killings
that, up until now, the administration has been able to pretend don't
exist.

First
Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) called the U.S.
on the carpet for dodging the call from the international community to
come clean about its drone killings. Then Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
Walter Jones (R-NC) submitted a bill calling for drone transparency. So
... are we finally going to get the truth?

The reason the Administration is hiding truth about drones is that they don't have a satisfactory answer for how decisions about drone strikes are made. As we have known all along, we need the public to think
about how crummy the whole drone program is, and then they will be
ready to be on our side. The best way to get them really thinking is to
shine a spotlight on the secrecy, evasiveness, and deceit involved in
the U.S. drone program.